NOTES:

Bill Ferland opened with introductions from the attendees. Rick Foote
was then introduced as the person who represents the company Triumvirate.
Triumvirate is the company hired since Manny Terezakis has stepped down
as Chemical Safety Coordinator. Rick has 23 years of experience in addressing
environmental issues under RI regulations with a specialization in the field
of higher education.

Dick Robinson mentioned that Walter Crocker chaired a commission for
heightened security at the Liston campus. That campus has 27 entrances and
for Security reasons there was an effort to reduce entry to that building.
The number of entrances at the campus has now been reduced to four which
will be open at all times that the campus is open. For safety reasons the
decision was made to have all parking lots numbered and signage will go
up soon. An “active shooter” exercise is being planned but, classroom door
locking mechanisms are needed and have not been installed which has postponed
this exercise for now. Eventually, the findings of this committee will be
instituted at all four campuses. Dick let everyone know that the college
website holds an Emergency Response Guide that everyone should read. The
guide explains how emergency situations should be handled.

Kevin Salisbury asked if “emergency texting” was ever considered on campus.
Bill explained that we are a large population across four campuses and cost
is the biggest factor but, that it will be re-addressed at some point.

Edna Mattson stated that cameras at the entrances for safety reasons
would be a great idea. Dick said that they have been considered as well
but, there are a lot of folks against “Big Brother” watching.

Bill let this committee know that there is a proposal to put cameras
at all four campuses and that funding is holding that idea up.

Pam Forleo spoke about the PA system and how it is not audible in her
department. This is a concern that during a fire drill, real fire or other
emergency that department would not be notified.

Bill said that there are a few places within the Knight Campus where
the PA is not working and those spots were noted. There is a requisition
in the system to replace broken or missing PA speakers.

Walter wondered if a Broadcast message across everyone’s computer screen
has ever been considered.

Lynn Gudeczauskas said that the capability is there on our network but,
disabled at this time.

Shelly Olausen mentioned that a student had pushed the emergency button
in a “Safe Area” in a stairwell at the Knight Campus and never got an answer.
Dick will check on that area. She also asked if the special chairs have
been considered to bring disabled folks down the stairs so that others are
able to help them. Dick said that the fire department advises against the
chairs.

Rick spoke about the construction of a “Safe Area” and that it is built
to withstand a high heat for up to 3-4 hours which is where the Fire Department
is sent to first to help those folks.

Pam questioned having push buttons for the double doors to open on corridors
for those in wheelchairs. Dick said that they are very expensive but, it
is being investigated.

Pam also asked whether all buildings have sprinkler systems and Dick
said that only Newport and the Knight Campus have them but the other two
campuses are “grandfathered-in” and do not require the system. There are
smoke alarms at all campuses.

Shelly asked if anything will become public that the Threat Assessment
Team has established and will training be provided. Walter said that the
Liston Emergency Committee meets every two weeks and are putting together
a list of emergency action workshops to be announced soon.

Pam had put a list of issues forward to this committee and Bill addressed
the issues that related to this committee by campus. He also let Pam know
that some of the things that were listed on her sheet of concerns were things
that should go through the work order system. Bill and Danny were able to
give her feedback on some of the work orders that were already in the system
and either not addressed or not completed.

Pam’s topics were separated by concerns for temperature in different
parts of the buildings as well as air quality and noise pollution. Each
issue was expanded upon and Pam was able to get answers to bring back to
faculty and staff with those concerns.

Lynn brought up the concern from her union members about the Environmental
conditions on campus and the possible link between the breast cancer clusters
that has once again been brought to light on the Flanagan Campus. There
have been a few recent cases of breast cancer/issues here on the Flanagan
Campus and there is concern that a possible cluster is occurring which has
had folks concerned of the environmental association with the disease. Various
tests were done on this campus for this reason in 2001.

Bill addressed a few items that have brought questions to the forefront
of people minds regarding the building environment and this issue. The “sludge”
in the elevator which was thought to have been bubbling up from the ground
was from when the elevator was being upgraded. Work was being done on the
cap that was keeping water out of the pit. That cap is in the elevator pit
and a new procedure to cap the water is being worked on. In that process
the water needed to be drained out of the pit with a hose and the noise
people were hearing was the pump working.

Also, back-up of a brown substance in the mod 2 bathroom sinks had a
couple of explanations. Either chemicals used to unclog the drain caused
that or something put down the sink, possibly coffee grounds or potting
soil. Roto-Rooter has addressed that problem.

Rick Foote said that he has reviewed most of the findings from the testing
that was done back in 2001 and will look over them further and can give
the committee the definite findings of those tests at a later date. He recognized
that breast cancer is a disturbingly common disease and that little is known
about the environmental risk factors for breast cancer. He said that it
is not possible to conduct a simple environmental test to address concerns
abut breast cancer.

Mary Baker let the committee know that the “go-ahead” has been given
for the CCRI Green Team to start working on some green initiatives. So far,
the two undertakings of the committee will be the implementation of recycling
cans and bottles through the present recycling contractor, Cleanscape. There
will also be an E-Waste Day at the Knight Campus on November 8, 2008 from
8:00a.m.-12:00p.m.